Assistant Director, Strategic Relations & Communications

The Children's Fund

Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts

Development Officer

Director, Fund Development

Development Officer

Mark L. Griffith, CFRE

Assistant Vice President, Major Gifts

About Me

Mark has been with Carolinas HealthCare Foundation since 2006 and serves as Assistant Vice President for Major Gifts. He oversees all fundraising for Levine Children’s Hospital and Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. Mark is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A. in Economics), a graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class XXVI, and received his Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential from CFRE International in 2012. He is also a Sunday School teacher at Christ Episcopal Church and has been a youth baseball coach at Myers Park Trinity Little League since 2004.

Kirstin Ashford

Assistant Vice President, Strategic Relations

About Me

Kirstin’s professional background encompasses healthcare public relations, marketing, and advocacy, as well as advertising and fundraising. She currently directs all communications programs for the Foundation. Her roles include producing print and electronic publications, strategic planning, coordinating philanthropic groups, writing and managing a team of consultants. Kirstin works closely with the administrative team on fundraising campaigns and special projects and serves as a liaison to CHS Marketing. Prior to joining Carolinas HealthCare Foundation, she served as Assistant Director of Media Relations for Carolinas HealthCare System. Kirstin holds a B.A. in communications from East Carolina University.

Armando L. Chardiet

President

About Me

Armando Chardiet is President of the Carolinas HealthCare Foundation.

Mr. Chardiet is a recognized leader in the world of philanthropy and has significant experience in establishing a strong culture of charitable giving. Prior to joining Carolinas HealthCare Foundation and Atrium Health in March 2017, he was chair of the Philanthropy Institute at Cleveland Clinic and was responsible for all philanthropic initiatives and capital campaigns. Prior to that role, Mr. Chardiet was the chief advancement officer and assistant vice dean at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He has previous experience at the Washington Hospital Center Foundation, the development arm of the largest teaching hospital in Washington, D.C. Earlier in his development career, he held positions at the American Red Cross, Brown University and American University.

Mr. Chardiet received his Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations and Latin American studies from Southern Connecticut University in 1973. Five years later, he earned a master’s degree in social policy research from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by an advanced certificate degree in research.

Scott Kerr, MBA, CPA

Senior Vice President

About Me

Scott has served as an executive officer of the Foundation for over 20 years. In addition to overseeing the Foundation’s grant-making activities, Scott works closely with and directs fundraising initiatives for cancer, cardiac and neurosciences programs, along with medical education and research. Scott is a CPA who holds a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from Michigan State University.

Electa E. McPherson, MBA

Vice President and CFO

About Me

Electa brings more than 16 years of healthcare financial experience to Carolinas HealthCare Foundation. A graduate of Clemson University, she serves as controller and financial manager for the organization. Before joining the Foundation, Electa served as a Senior Financial Analyst for Johns Hopkins University. She provides a level of leadership and professionalism that is crucial to day-to-day operations.

Cacky Allen Higgins

Director, Fund Development

About Me

Cacky joined Carolinas HealthCare Foundation in 2008 after working as an event coordinator for the Carolina Panthers NFL organization. Because of her commitment to Carolinas HealthCare System, Cacky has been extremely successful in her tenure. She exemplifies what it is to be a team player, a leader, and a role model of Carolinas HealthCare System core values. In her current role as Director, Fund Development, Cacky is leading some of the Foundation’s most successful fundraising events and initiatives for the benefit of the oncology service line at Carolinas HealthCare System. She has been instrumental in establishing the region’s first major fundraiser benefiting ovarian cancer research (Stiletto Sprint) and is spearheading breast cancer, BMT, melanoma, and various additional cancer fundraising initiatives and major gifts. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she earned a B.A. in public relations from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Katherine Anderson

Development Officer

About Me

Katherine joined Carolinas HealthCare Foundation in 2016. As a Development Officer, her responsibilities include fundraising initiatives and projects for the Levine Cancer Institute. Before joining the Foundation, Katherine served as a special events manager for the Charlotte Knights organization. Katherine is a graduate of Meredith College in Raleigh, NC where she earned a B.A. in Mass Communication.

Patricia Couchell

Project Manager

About Me

Patricia joined Carolinas HealthCare Foundation in 2013 after working in various administrative and managerial positions for over 5 years in a local Charter School. As a Project Manager at the Foundation, Patricia serves as a key member of the CHF Management group. She oversees the Foundation’s internship program, prospect research, and donor stewardship. A graduate of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Patricia holds a B.S. in International Business.

Rachel Ellis

Director, Fund Development

About Me

Rachel focuses on fundraising for various CHS divisions including neuroscience and behavioral health, and oversees the Foundation’s legacy giving program. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2015, Rachel managed membership and annual fund programs at The Mint Museum and Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte, and served as a fundraising professional in Colorado and Texas. A graduate of Baylor University, Rachel holds a BA in art history and museum studies.

Cindy Grier

Senior Staff Assistant

About Me

Cindy is responsible for donor and gift management. This includes the banking, recording and acknowledgement of donations, and processing of daily financial reports. Prior to working for the Foundation, Cindy held positions in donor and gift management for 2 years at a local non-profit healthcare agency, and for 9 years at an independent school.

Gina Foster

Senior Staff Assistant

About Me

Gina joined Carolinas HealthCare Foundation in 2016 as a Senior Staff Assistant. In this role she provides administrative support to several Foundation development officers and directors. Prior to coming to the Foundation, Gina worked in the Insurance, Banking, and Service industries, bringing over 25 years of office management and customer service experience to the Foundation.

M.L. Marley

Supervisor, Data Management & Donor Information

About Me

In addition to corresponding regularly with donors, M.L. is responsible for managing donor and gift data for the Foundation. Additionally, he performs daily and monthly financial reconciliations, general ledger financial reports, and drafts and coordinates a significant portion of the Foundation’s acknowledgement correspondence for the 100 various funds held at the Foundation. Before joining the Foundation, M.L. worked at Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Co. for nine years as an underwriting assistant serving the West Coast. He holds a B.A. from Pfeiffer University.

Annette Mason

Communications Administrative Assistant

About Me

As Communications Administrative Assistant, Annette serves as a member of the Foundation’s strategic relations and communications team to provide support for the Foundation Assistant Vice President, and other Foundation executives, as well as providing support for fund development and fundraising events. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2005, Annette served in various support and management roles at the Charlotte Office of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. She holds a B.A. degree in organizational communications from Queens University of Charlotte.

Sarah Beth Koonce

Development Officer

About Me

Sarah Beth joined Carolinas HealthCare Foundation in 2017 after working in government affairs for the N.C. Department of Labor and N.C. State University. In her role, she provides support for fund development programs, special events, and donor stewardship activities. A graduate of N.C. State University, Sarah Beth earned a B.A. in political science with a minor in journalism.

Jan Nielsen

Financial Services Manager

About Me

Jan holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has more than 30 years of accounting experience, the majority of which has been in the healthcare industry. She is responsible for general accounting functions at the Foundation and assists with managing offline and online financial transactions. Jan is a key player on the financial team and brings a high level of experience and proficiency to the organization.

Kathleen LeFever

Assistant Director, Strategic Relations & Communications

About Me

Kathleen joined Carolinas HealthCare Foundation in 2013 after serving as the Communications Manager of the Asheville Art Museum in Asheville, NC. In her current role, Kathleen fosters strategic donor, community, and patient relationships, and develops communication strategies to enhance the Foundation’s digital footprint in philanthropic giving and outreach. She is responsible for managing the Foundation’s website development, online fundraising platforms, email marketing, and social media. Kathleen also assists as an editor and content creator for Foundation publications.

Prior to relocating to North Carolina, Kathleen served as the Director of Communications for Health Care Central Georgia Inc. (Macon, GA). Her professional experience includes project management, strategic planning, graphic design, marketing, public relations, social media and website management. Kathleen holds an M.A. in Arts Administration from the University of Oregon and a B.A. in Arts Management from College of Charleston.

Michele Nutsigbe

Senior Administrative Assistant

About Me

Michele joined Carolinas HealthCare System in 1993. She provides administrative support to several Foundation development officers, directors and executives. Before her employment with CHS, Michele gained administrative experience in healthcare systems in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Kansas City. She studied secretarial science and Gregg shorthand at West Los Angeles College. Because of her diverse knowledge of the organization, Michele assists with a variety of projects and activities supporting the Foundation’s mission.

Katherine Schmitt

Financial Services Manager

About Me

Katherine comes to the Foundation with over 15 years of accounting experience, with the last five being in the Carolinas Healthcare System Corporate Reporting Department. A Charlotte native and graduate of NC State University, she is the newest member of the Foundation’s financial team. Katherine assists with general accounting functions and financial statement preparation.

Laura Skinner

Development Officer

About Me

Laura joined Carolinas HealthCare Foundation as a Development Officer in 2017. In her role, her responsibilities include fundraising and event planning for Levine Children’s Hospital and Levine Cancer Institute. Prior to joining the Foundation, Laura was the Director of the Driven Brands Charitable Foundation responsible for fundraising for various charitable organizations including Levine Children’s Hospital.

Laura is a Charlotte native and a graduate of North Carolina State University holding a B.A. in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing.

Kellie McGregor

Director, Fund Development

About Me

Kellie McGregor serves Carolinas HealthCare Foundation as the Director of Fund Development for Children’s Programs. Her previous sixteen years of philanthropic employ at Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte Chamber, Classroom Central, and Trinity Episcopal School has enabled her to hone the very strategic partnership building skills she’ll use to raise funds and bring additional awareness to Levine Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network.

A lover of language, the arts, and the vibrancy that comes with thriving and diverse communities, Kellie is a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Studio Art and a Minor in French. Presently, she sits on the Board of Managers for the Johnston YMCA where she is a devoted volunteer with the Y Readers program. Her deep commitment to the Charlotte community has now been indelibly enriched by her work with Carolinas HealthCare Foundation.

Sarah Richardson

Development Officer

About Me

Sarah joined Carolinas HealthCare Foundation in 2014. As a Development Officer at the Foundation, Sarah concentrates on fundraising for Levine Children’s Hospital as well as Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Her professional experiences span from clinical research and administrative support to project management, graphic design, and event planning. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Sarah earned a B.A. in psychology with a minor in public health.

“Philanthropy is the difference between good and excellent healthcare.”Michael Rose, Past President

Fund Us Offline

Find Us Online

Notice of Privacy Statement
Carolinas HealthCare Foundation may use demographic information to contact you in an effort to raise money for Carolinas HealthCare System programs and facilities. The money raised will be used to expand and improve the services and programs we provide the community.

Carolinas HealthCare Foundation is an accredited charity, recognized by the Better Business Bureau for meeting and exceeding the comprehensive Standards for Charity Accountability.